Cryptandra glabriflora explained

Cryptandra glabriflora is a flowering plant in the family Rhamnaceae and is endemic to Kalbarri National Park in Western Australia. It is a low shrub with linear or oblong leaves and clusters of white or pink, tube-shaped flowers.

Description

Cryptandra glabriflora is a shrub that typically grows to a height of, and has many rigid, glabrous, spiny branches. The leaves are linear to oblong, long and glabrous, with the edges rolled under. The flowers are white or pink, sessile, clustered along the branches and more or less glabrous. The floral tube is broadly bell-shaped, long, surrounded by broad, overlapping bracts and has spreading lobes. Flowering occurs from May to August.[1]

Taxonomy and naming

Cryptandra glabriflora was first formally described in 1863 by George Bentham in Flora Australiensis from specimens collected near the Murchison River by Augustus Oldfield.[2] The specific epithet (glabriflora ) means "glabrous-flowered".[3]

Distribution and habitat

This cryptandra is only known from Kalbarri National Park where it grows on plains in sand or gravelly soils.[4]

Conservation status

This cryptandra is listed as "Priority Two" by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, meaning that it is poorly known and from only one or a few locations.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Bentham . George . von Mueller . Ferdinand . Flora Australiensis . 1 . Lovell Reeve & Co. . London . 441 . 30 November 2022.
  2. Web site: Cryptandra glabriflora. APNI. 29 November 2022.
  3. Book: Sharr . Francis Aubi . George . Alex . Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings . 2019 . Four Gables Press . Kardinya, WA . 9780958034180 . 206 . 3rd.
  4. Rye . Barbara L. . New and priority taxa in the genera Cryptandra and Stenanthemum (Rhamnaceae) of Western Australia. . Nuytsia . 1995 . 10 . 2 . 269–270 . 30 November 2022.
  5. Web site: Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna. Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. 30 November 2022.